President Donald Trump offered strong words of support for New York City Mayor Eric Adams’ bid for re-election on Tuesday, while delivering a sharp warning to Zohran Mamdani, the Democratic socialist leading the mayoral race. Trump threatened potential legal consequences for Mamdani should he interfere with federal immigration enforcement.
Speaking from the “Alligator Alcatraz” migrant holding facility in Florida, Trump had high praise for Adams, calling him “a very good person” and suggesting that he had intervened to help the mayor through his legal troubles.
“I helped him out a little bit,” Trump said, referencing the Justice Department’s decision to drop Adams’ corruption case. “He had a problem, and he was unfairly hurt over this question. That was a Biden indictment. I said, ‘Don’t feel bad. I got indicted five times.’”
Adams had been charged with bribery and corruption in what he and Trump both claimed was retaliation for publicly criticizing President Joe Biden’s handling of the border crisis.
The investigation that resulted in Adams’ indictment was already underway before his public comments, but Trump stood by the notion that the charges were politically motivated.
Turning his attention to Mamdani, Trump intensified his attacks, warning the left-wing candidate that he could face criminal consequences if he attempts to interfere with federal immigration operations.
“We’ll have to arrest” Mamdani if that happens, Trump said.
Trump also addressed the broader mayoral contest, suggesting he was leaning toward supporting Adams, who is running as an independent, despite being a registered Democrat.
“You would think that a Republican would be able to win, or you have a good independent running for mayor,” Trump said.
{Matzav.com}